Christopher Confessore isn’t one to drop names, but look at his resume and you will find an impressive list of musical collaborators. It covers the gamut of classical and pops artists — names like Itzhak Perlman, Joshua Bell and Lang Lang; Art Garfunkel, Roberta Flack, Judy Collins, Marvin Hamlisch, Chris Botti, Peabo Bryson and Charlie Daniels.

He is as congenial a conductor as you will find, his humor, wit and wisdom often cutting up audiences and musicians alike. Despite his title of Alabama Symphony’s Principal Pops conductor, he is as serious as they come when a Mozart or Elgar score is placed in front of him. You are as likely to spot him conducting a Masterworks concert at the Alys Stephens Center as music from “Wicked” and “E.T.” at Railroad Park.

Although Confessore has been a fixture at ASO for 12 seasons, he has been the music director of the Brevard (Fla.) Symphony for even longer — 17 years. The orchestras of Houston, Jacksonville, Charlotte, Naples (Fla.), Sarasota, Sibiu (Romania) and Detroit are among his guest gigs. Mentors include Leonard Slatkin, Gustav Meier and Lawrence Leighton Smith, and he holds degrees in bassoon performance (Florida State University) and conducting (University of Southern California).

For the exam, we wanted to know a little more about how he so easily straddles the line between classical and pops.

Michael Huebner

The first time I ever conducted was:

When I was in the eighth grade, my band director let me conduct a piece on our end of the year concert. After that experience, I was hooked!

At what point in your life did you know you would make a living as an orchestra conductor?

When I was hired as music director and principal conductor of the Brevard Symphony Orchestra. Prior to that time, I was the assistant conductor of the Florida West Coast Symphony, but that was very part time, so my day job was working as the orchestra’s education director. Once I won the job in Brevard, I was able to focus my professional activities strictly on conducting.

Which is more difficult to put together, a pops concert or classical concert?

Definitely a classical concert — so much more finesse and attention to detail is required. Though there have been many pops concerts over the years where we’ve had to prepare a LOT in a very limited amount of rehearsal time.

If you had only one CD on a desert island (plus a player and batteries), what would it be?

That’s a tough one! The Cast Recording of the Broadway Musical, "The Light in the Piazza" by Adam Guettel, really means a lot to me, but hopefully, the next iPhone will be solar powered, and that will make answering this question a LOT easier!

John Williams or Vaughan Williams?

You know me too well! I really love the music of both composers, but ultimately, I think the music of John Williams has had a greater impact on me personally.

Ralph Vaughan Williams

John Williams

The best part about my job is:

Getting to work with one of the best and most versatile orchestras in the country as we make a difference in the lives of our audience each and every time we take the stage!

The most influential artist in my life is:

Phillip Spurgeon — he was my conducting teacher at Florida State University. He taught me to think less about the notes a composer put down on paper and to think more about WHY he put those notes down on paper.

What is the quirkiest concert you ever conducted?

A few summers ago, we did a concert in Caldwell Park with an ABBA Tribute Band that was WAY over the top. You don’t usually see that much white spandex at a symphony concert!

Without a doubt, my parents. They have been so incredibly supportive of me throughout my life!

What is the best movie soundtrack ever written?

Definitely the original “Star Wars” score by John Williams. When I first saw that movie, I was more mesmerized by the remarkable music than any of the amazing visuals onscreen.

The 2011-12 season is winding down. How will you say goodbye to ASO musicians for the summer?

We have a unique season finale planned — we’re performing Haydn’s “Farewell” Symphony to close the concert. During the last movement, the orchestra members gradually stand and exit the stage until just two violinists remain to play the final notes. It’s a fascinating piece and a brilliant and very poignant way for us to bid “farewell” to one another and to our loyal audience.

Christopher Confessore conducts ASO's season finale Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Alabama School of Fine Arts' Dorothy Jemison Day Theatre.